Tamper-proof electric power distribution and meter enclosure system

ABSTRACT

An electric power meter and distribution box suitable for use in mobile home parks and similar outdoor applications in which underground wiring is brought up through a vertical hollow stand pipe to which is affixed a base member by means of first and second pairs of set screws. The base member is adapted to support an enclosure in which is located one or more duplex receptacles, a set of circuit breakers, an electrical watt-hour meter, as well as any other similar type of power receptacles. The first pair of set screws is located external to the enclosure whereas the second pair of set screws is located within the enclosure. A hinged cover member, which may be locked, is provided to prevent unauthorized access or tampering with the electrical components.

United States Patent [1 1 Shallbetter TAMPER-PROOF ELECTRIC POWERDISTRIBUTION AND METER ENCLOSURE SYSTEM Inventor: Albert J. Shallbetter,15 Kaiser Ave.

N., Minneapolis, Minn. 55427 Filed: Aug. 20, 1971 Appl. No.: 173,365

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1969 Boyle 317/105 7/1964Spencer... 317/105 6/1943 Sparkes.... .....317/1ll 1/1953 Road .1..3l7/l08 [451 Aug. 14, 1973 Primary Examiner-Robert K. SchaeferAssistant Examiner-Gerald P. Tolin Attomey-Orrin A. l-laugen ABSTRACT Anelectric power meter and distribution box suitable for use in mobilehome parks and similar outdoor applications in which underground wiringis brought up through a vertical hollow stand pipe to which is affixed abase member by means of first and second pairs of set screws. The basemember is adapted to support an enclosure in which is located one ormore duplex receptacles, a set of circuit breakers, an electricalwatt-hour meter, as well as any other similar type of power receptacles.The first pair of set screws is located external to the enclosurewhereas the second pair of set screws is located within the enclosure. Ahinged cover member, which may be locked, is provided to preventunauthorized access or tampering with the electrical components.

3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDwcMms INVENTOR ALBERT J SHALLBETTERBY Q ATTORNW TAMPER-PROOF ELECTRIC POWER DISTRIBUTION AND METERENCLOSURE SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates toelectrical distribution boxes and more specifically to a powerdistribution panel especially designed for use out-of-doors, such as inmobile home parks, marinas, parking lots, and the like. As such, it isessential that the unit be weather-proof, tamper-proof andveasy toinstall.

The closest prior art believed to be pertinent to the present inventionis set forth in the Boyle US. Pat. No. 3,450,951 which discloses anoutdoor electrical meter box and service outlet adapted to be mounted ona hollow post through which electrical power lines may pass into themeter and distribution panel. Further, the Boyle patent discloses atamper-proof mechanical connection between the meter box and the supportpost to resist theft and vandalism The present invention is animprovement over the apparatus described in the afore-mentioned Boylepatent in that the mounting arrangement is greatly simplified whilestill retaining the anti-theft feature and isolation of the powerlead-in connections and the load connections.

Specifically, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,a rectangular box-like sheet metal enclosure is secured to a castaluminum base plate having integrally formed therein a tubular segmentof a predetermined inside diameter which terminates in a shoulder of aslightly reduced diameter. The tubular segment projects from both sidesof the base plate and has a plurality of tapped holes extendingtransversely through the wall of the tubular segment into which setscrews may be inserted. One or more duplex outlets, circuit breakers andother electrical receptacles are mounted within the box and theoperative portions thereof are exposed through apertures formed in theenclosure. A hinged cover panel when swung downward, completely shieldsthe outlet and components, and prevents tampering.

The enclosure, with its base attached, is adapted to be mounted on astand pipe by inserting the upper end of the stand pipe into the tubularsegment until the stand pipe'abuts the shoulder formed within thetubular segment of the base plate. The enclosure is affixed to the standpipe by means of the set screws which pass through the tapped holes inthe tubular segment. Because one or more of these set screws is locatedwithin the enclosure, it is inaccessible once the assembly is completewhich inhibits any attempt to remove the enclosure from the stand pipe.

These and other features of the invention will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description,considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective viewof the electric power distribution and metering system of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing with a portion of the enclosure brokenaway to expose the internal construction of the system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 1, thereis shown a portion of a stand pipe 10 on which the electric power meterand distribution box 12 is mounted. The length of the stand pipe I0 issuch that it may go into the ground a predetermined depth to provide asturdy base while still extending upward to a desired height, takinginto consideration snow depth, convenience to the user, and the like Thesystem of the present invention is designed to be used with undergroundwiring, and for this purpose, the stand pipe 10 is a hollow tubularmember such that the electrical service can be brought up through thestand pipe as is illustrated in FIG. 2. The enclosure 12 includes a baseplate 14 which, in the preferred embodiment, is formed from castaluminum. The base plate 14 has integrally formed therein a tubularportion 16 which extends in both directions from the upper and lowersurfaces of the plate 14. Near the upper end of the tubular portion 16is a shoulder 18 which is of a slightly reduced diameter from that ofthe tubular portion 16. The inside diameter of the tubular portion 16 isonly slightly larger than the outside diameter of the stand pipe 10.Hence, the tubular member 16 of the base plate 14 may be slipped ontothe stand pipe 10 and the shoulder 18 serves as a stop which abuts theend of the stand pipe 10.

Affixed to the upper surface of the base 14 is a rectangular box-likeenclosure 20. In the preferred embodiment, the box 20 is formed froml6-gauge galvanized steel and is therefore quite rugged. The enclosure20 is affixed to the base plate 14 by screws, rivets, or the like.

Attached to the upper end of the box-like enclosure 20 is a top member22 which is of. approximately the same width as the enclosure 20 butwhose length is somewhat greater than the length of the enclosure sothat an over-hang exists on each end of the top.

On the rear face of the enclosure 20 is a circular opening (not shown)which is adapted to accept a standard electric meter 24. In mostinstances, the meter is owned by the utility company and is suppliedwhen the user is ready to utilize the service.

On the front surface 26 of the enclosure 20 are located a number ofapertures into which may be mounted electrical outlets. Morespecifically, there is shown at 28 a standard duplex outlet along with apair of three-wire outlets 30. While only a single duplex outlet 28 andtwo three-wire outlets 30 are illustrated, it should be understood thatadditional outlets or receptacles can be provided depending upon need.

Mounted connection above the aforementioned outlets is a circuit breakerpanel 32. The circuit breaker switches 34 are mounted on this panel andare wired in a conventional manner to the various outlets so as toprovide over-current protection.

Contained within the enclosure 20 is a barrier panel 36 which separatesthe incoming electrical power leads 38 from the circuit breaker switchesand associated outlets. Thus, the barrier 36 serves to isolate the powerleads from the load connections.

Hinged to the portion of the top 22 which extends outwardly from theside 26 is a cover member 40. In FIG. I, the cover 40 is shown in itsraised position in which the circuit breaker switches 34 and the variouselectrical outlets 28 and 30 are accessible. When the cover member 40 isswung downwardly about the hinge 42, the circuit breaker switches andvarious outlets are completely enclosed. Suitable gaskets (not shown)are provided in the cover member 40 to make the assembly water tightwhen the cover member 40 is in its down position and secured by a lockwhich passes through the hasp 44.

To eliminate the possibility of theft of the unit, the present inventionincorporates a novel arrangement for securing the base 14 to the standpipe 10. More SPCClflcally, there is provided in the cylindrical portion16 of thebase plate 14, a plurality of tapped holes into which setscrews 46 and 48 may be inserted. Because the set screw 46 is above thetop surface of the base plate 14, it is totally within the enclosure 12and therefore inaccessible from outside of the enclosure. Duringinstallation, access to the internally located set screw 46 is throughthe meter opening in the rear face of the enclosure. Once the set screw46 is screwed into place and theelectric companys meter is installed inthe appropriate aperture, the enclosure 12 cannot be removed from thestand pipe without destroying the unit or breaking the utility companysseal and removing the meter.

The set screw 48 is accessible from outside of the en- 7 closure and isprovided to give additional support as- Length 8-54 inches Width 1 10inches Height 24% inches Length of top l6-l4 inches Length of cover I446inches 3 inches Diameter of stand Obviously, various modifications ofthe invention are possible in light of the above teachings withoutdepartingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore tobe understood that the invention is not limited to the particular formillustrated, but is capable of embodimentin qthenforms within the scopeof the'appended claims.

I claim:

1. An electric power' distribution and metering systemg'comprising:

a. a rectangular base plate having a tubularsegment formed integrallytherein and extending axially from the topvand bottom surface of saidplate;

b. a box like enclosure of rectangular cross-section affixed to saidbase plate;

0. at least one electrical outlet and circuit breaker affixed to oneside of said box-like enclosure and having the operating portionsthereof extending through apertures formed in said one side;

' d. an opening formed in a second side of said enclosure having meansprovided for receiving an electrical power meter; I

e. a lockablehinged drop shield, swingingly movable with respect to saidone side of said enclosure for covering said operating portions; and

f. said tubular segment including a generally upstanding tubular femalepipe receiving socket disposed within said enclosure and having a boreformed therewithin for receiving a tubular stand pipe therewithin, saidtubular female socket having at least one set screw extending throughthe wall thereof and being located within said enclosure to lockablysecure said base plate to a tubular stand pipe upon insertion of saidstand pipe into said tubular segment in said base plate. 2. Apparatus asin claim 1 wherein an electrical power meter is lockingly received insaid enclosure, and wherein said set screw is disposed within saidboxlike enclosure and extendingfrom said tubular segment and in an axialdirection toward said second side of said enclosure so as to becomeinaccessible with said electrical power meter inserted into said openingformed in said second side. i

' 3. Apparatus as in claim 2 and further including a barrier platedisposed within said enclosure and being spaced and removed from saidrectangular base plate for isolating incoming power leads from saidelectrical outlet and circuit breaker.

1. An electric power distribution and metering system, comprising: a. arectangular base plate having a tubular segment formed integrallytherein and extending axially from the top and bottom surface of saidplate; b. a box-like enclosure of rectangular cross-section affixed tosaid base plate; c. at least one electrical outlet and circuit breakeraffixed to one side of said box-like enclosure and having the operatingportions thereof extending through apertures formed in said one side; d.an opening formed in a second side of said enclosure having meansprovided for receiving an electrical power meter; e. a lockable hingeddrop shield, swingingly movable with respect to said one side of saidenclosure for covering said operating portions; and f. said tubularsegment including a generally upstanding tubular female pipe receivingsocket disposed within said enclosure and having a bore formedtherewithin for receiving a tubular stand pipe therewithin, said tubularfemale socket having at least one set screw extending through the wallthereof and being located within said enclosure to lockably secure saidbase plate to a tubular stand pipe upon insertion of said stand pipeinto said tubular segment in said base plate.
 2. Apparatus as in claim 1wherein an electrical power meter is lockingly received in saidenclosure, and wherein said set screw is disposed within said box-likeenclosure and extending from said tubular segment and in an axialdirection toward said second side of said enclosure so as to becomeinaccessible with said electrical power meter inserted into said openingformed in said second side.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 2 and furtherincluding a barrier plate disposed within said enclosure and beingspaced and removed from said rectangular base plate for isolatingincoming power leads from said electrical outlet and circuiT breaker.